MEDIA CENTER

News

GatesAir Launches Program to Train the Next Generation of RF Engineers

New “Introduction to Broadcast Transmitter Technology” program answers the rising question of “How do we prepare today’s up and coming engineers for an RF future”?Cincinnati, OH, April 05, 2018

In direct response to the growing scarcity of qualified RF Broadcast engineers, GatesAir will launch new RF training and education initiative focused on operations and maintenance for next-generation TV and radio transmission sites. Designed for today’s younger, IT-educated broadcast engineers, the new initiative from GatesAir’s Service department, will launch with an “Introduction to Broadcast Transmitter Technology” course.

“As the industry shifts to modular, solid-state transmitters and IP-based infrastructure and networking, our broadcast customers are seeking engineers that have specialized RF transmission knowledge as well as an IT skillset,” said Bryant Burke, Vice President of Operations, GatesAir. “Since many new professionals entering the field have IT backgrounds, this new introductory training program responds to our customers’ pressing needs to find qualified engineers that can operate and maintain their next-generation, over-the-air content delivery systems. We’re addressing broadcasters’ concerns regarding the shortage of broadcast engineers, and leveraging the current crop of IT-savvy engineers for ATSC 3.0 and other next-generation DTV and digital radio networks.”

The new training program, launching in May 2018, is an adjunct to the company’s long-standing “RF:101” course, designed for trainees with a basic understanding of RF technology. Recognizing a growing number of RF:101 participants lacked an RF background, GatesAir proactively implemented this new entry-level RF training course designed to prepare IT professionals for an RF transmission-centered career.

The “Introduction to Broadcast Transmitter Technology” course begins with three pre-requisite webinars that must be successfully completed online. Upon completion, students will attend a four-day, hands-on training workshop at GatesAir’s Quincy, Illinois campus. The program emphasizes safety, and limits the workshop to groups of 8-10 trainees to ensure personalized hands-on training. It also covers fundamentals, such as operational maintenance of liquid- and air-cooled solid-state transmitters, digital modulation schemes including ATSC 3.0, DVB-T2, and DAB Radio, and troubleshooting and repair of modular transmission components.

The new program is open to anyone—even non-GatesAir customers—with the interest and drive to acquire RF transmission skills. Participants receive a certificate of completion and qualify for SBE re-certification credits.

“Our training programs are just one of the ways we’re serving our customers and the broadcast industry,” Burke said. “We also continue to offer post-sales equipment training, as well as extensive consultation, installation and other support services related to the on-going spectrum repack.”

GatesAir, Inc., a portfolio company of The Gores Group, provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership with all products designed and assembled in the USA. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gatesair, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.

About The Gores Group

The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. Over its 30-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit http://www.gores.com.